Posted on: February 1, 2024, 08:11h.
Last updated on: February 1, 2024, 08:11h.
William Hill employees were fired after they embezzled more than $70K from kiosks at Nevada sports wagering sites, according to state officials.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) began investigating the incidents in December 2022.
Illegal Vouchers Cashed
It was discovered that William Hill customer service agents fraudulently added money onto kiosks by using computer programs, authorities said. Suspects then printed illicit vouchers and later cashed them in, authorities added.
The suspects also used their cellphones to choose which kiosks were to be altered, officials said.
One worker named in the scheme was identified as Mariah Butler. She was employed as a supervisor and she is wanted for forgery, authorities said.
A second employee was identified as Tionne Ryans. Ryans allegedly made almost half of the improper adjustments over just a month. Last month, Ryans was charged with theft between $25K and $100K, as well as forgery.
Four other suspects allegedly also took part in the scheme and are wanted for theft.
In this case, the suspects were caught making $100, $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 singular adjustments,” according to a NGCB report, quoted by Las Vegas TV station KLAS.
At least three William Hill employees were sacked as a result of the investigation.
Prior Embezzlement
Last February, Nevada authorities made similar arrests for embezzlement at William Hill kiosks in Las Vegas also in a plot to steal money, KLAS reported.
Two of those charged last year were Shravan Singh, a supervisor, and Paige Steiner, a customer service agent.
Singh and Steiner have since pleaded guilty to five charges. They will pay more than $200K in restitution, according to KLAS.
Originally, Steiner faced 290 charges. Singh made fraudulent cash adjustments on 166 dates. Singh embezzled more than $280K, KLAS reported.
The investigation which led the arrests of Singh and Steiner was launched in 2021.
Initially, Singh was charged with embezzlement, forgery, forgery by altering computer data, and conspiracy to commit embezzlement, according to KLAS.
Steiner’s original charges were not immediately known.
Due to Singh’s position, and his involvement, the embezzlement was not initially caught by William Hill,” prosecutors revealed last year. “Singh’s participation prevented the reporting to compliance of not only his fraudulent cash adjustments but [others] as well.”
When an internal audit by the William Hill uncovered concerns, company officials notified Nevada authorities.
William Hill runs 100-plus race and sportsbook sites in Nevada. In 2021, Caesars Entertainment acquired William Hill for almost $4B.
